Search Results (830)

This article investigates the macroeconomic and labor market conditions that shape the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies among large firms in Europe. Based on panel data econometrics and supervised machine learning techniques, we estimate how public health spending, access to credit, export activity, gross capital formation, inflation, openness to trade, and labor market structure influence the share of firms that adopt at least one AI technology. The research covers all 28 EU members between 2018 and 2023. We employ a set of robustness checks using a combination of fixed-effects, random-effects, and dynamic panel data specifications supported by Clustering and supervised learning techniques. We find that AI adoption is linked to higher GDP per capita, healthcare spending, inflation, and openness to trade but lower levels of credit, exports, and capital formation. Labor markets with higher proportions of salaried work, service occupations, and self-employment are linked to AI diffusion, while unemployment and vulnerable work are detractors. Cluster analysis identifies groups of EU members with similar adoption patterns that are usually underpinned by stronger economic and institutional fundamentals. The results collectively suggest that AI diffusion is shaped not only by technological preparedness and capabilities to invest but by inclusive macroeconomic conditions and equitable labor institutions. Targeted policy measures can accelerate the equitable adoption of AI technologies within the European industrial economy. Full article

Background: Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) significantly impacts oral health-related quality of life. While global prevalence estimates range from 10–15%, region-specific data from Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study also aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s mental health initiatives, as DH-associated anxiety impacts overall well-being. This study assessed DH prevalence and quality of life impact among Saudi adults. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 748 Saudi adults aged ≥ 18 years between April and May. Data were collected using a validated Arabic Dentinal Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ) alongside socio-demographic variables. Participants reporting DH symptoms within 12 months were included in impact analyses. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA examined associations between DHEQ scores and participant characteristics. Results: Self-reported DH prevalence was 54.3% (n = 406), substantially exceeding global estimates. Among affected individuals, mean DHEQ score was 0.56 ± 0.19, indicating moderate-to-substantial quality-of-life impact. Functional limitations were most affected, particularly enjoyment of eating and drinking (0.72 ± 0.21). Significant associations were identified between higher DHEQ scores and age extremes (<18 and >35 years; p < 0.001), higher income levels (p = 0.032), fewer teeth (p = 0.040), and dental pain presence (p = 0.009). Sex, residence, education, and employment showed no significant associations. Conclusions: More than half of Saudi adults reported DH symptoms, representing a significant public health concern with substantial quality of life implications. Prevalence substantially exceeds global estimates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Age, income, tooth count, and pain presence emerged as key factors. These findings support developing population-specific prevention strategies, particularly targeting younger and older adults with tooth loss. Full article

There is little qualitative research on the support needed by workers with type 1 diabetes to effectively self-manage at work and maintain work ability. In this UK study, 21 workers with type 1 diabetes participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis and then characterised under the Psychosocial Flags Framework. Findings highlighted several obstacles to maintaining self-management, including systemic workplace issues (black flags), individual attitudes and beliefs (yellow flags), and workplace issues (blue flags). Participants generally lacked confidence in voicing their needs, emphasising a requirement for a more supportive, inclusive workplace culture. This indicates a need for employers to foster an environment where workers with T1D feel comfortable seeking support without penalty. Addressing unhelpful perceptions of T1D seems key to this, making increased knowledge and awareness crucial for the harmonious integration of T1D with work. But delivering effective interventions may be challenging, since they must account for the complex biopsychosocial interplay of obstacles to work ability that this qualitative investigation emphasises. Full article

In recent decades, there have been significant changes in employment relationships, leading to more precarious forms of employment and heightened perceptions of job insecurity. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of job insecurity on perceived psychological well-being and work engagement, with self-efficacy at work acting as a mediator and perceived supervisor support acting as a moderator. This study analyzed a sample of 938 individuals from Portugal who participated in the 2015 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). The results show that job insecurity has a negative impact on both psychological well-being and work engagement. Furthermore, the study found that self-efficacy at work acts as a mediator in the relationship between job insecurity, psychological well-being, and work engagement, with a buffering effect. Our results also show evidence of a moderation effect of perceived supervisor support, which works in two ways: perceived supervisor support amplifies the positive effect of self-efficacy at work on psychological well-being, as well as the indirect negative effect of job insecurity. However, this moderation effect was not observed in the relationship with work engagement. These results emphasize the significance of job insecurity regarding individual mental health and job-related attitudes, taking into consideration individual and organizational resources. Full article

This study presents the redesign of a career development course at a science and technology university in Taiwan aimed at enhancing student engagement and employability through blended and cooperative learning strategies grounded in constructivist and social constructivist learning theories. Using a qualitative, practitioner-led case study approach, data were collected from 94 students, including interviews with 16 participants, reflective logs, group worksheets, and classroom observations. Thematic analysis identified four key outcomes: (1) strengthened student–teacher interaction through collaborative group work, (2) enhanced self-efficacy via simulated interviews, (3) increased career motivation through real-world exposure, and (4) deeper reflection supported by digital tools. Findings suggest that integrating experiential, collaborative, and technology-enhanced pedagogies can promote meaningful engagement and transferable skill development in applied higher education. Full article

Over the last 20 years, poverty has undergone profound changes, even affecting people who were once safe from the processes of impoverishment. Hidden under the guise of normal difficulties considered part of the natural course of life, it has lost its “occasional” connotation and has become “established” in people’s lives, causing new and dangerous trends. The article offers some reflections on how these dynamics have become particularly widespread in Italy, resulting in two types of poverty: cultural poverty, linked to the phenomenon of young NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training), and working poverty. These types of poverty are linked and risk feeding off each other. On the one hand, poor cultural tools force young people to settle for low-paid jobs. On the other hand, poor-quality work, due to poor training, discourages people from pursuing education and training and traps poor workers in a situation of social stagnation. A possible tool to tackle these issues could be Responsible Welfare, which focuses on the person as a unique entity, implementing the resilience of individuals to promote self-esteem while also enhancing relational, social, and community resources. Full article

Optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers—known as vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs)—are promising devices for ultrashort pulse formation. For it, a “SESAM-free” approach labeled “self-mode-locking” received considerable attention in the past decade, relying solely on a chip-related nonlinear optical property which can establish adequate pulsing conditions—thereby suggesting a reduced reliance on a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror (the SESAM) in the cavity. Self-mode-locked (SML) VECSELs with sub-ps pulse durations were reported repeatedly. This motivated investigations on a Kerr-lensing type effect acting as an artificial saturable absorber. So-called Z-scan and ultrafast beam-deflection experiments were conducted to emphasize the role of nonlinear lensing in the chip for pulse formation. Recently, in addition to allowing stable ultrashort pulsed operation, self-starting mode-locked operation gave rise to another emission regime related to frequency comb formation. While amplitude-modulated combs relate to signal peaks in time, providing a so-called pulse train, a frequency-modulated comb is understood to cause quasi continuous-wave output with its sweep of instantaneous frequency over the range of phase-locked modes. With gain-bandwidth-enhanced chips, as well as with an improved understanding of the impacts of dispersion and nonlinear lensing properties and cavity configurations on the device output, an enhanced employment of SML VECSELs is to be expected. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted extensive vaccination efforts globally, yet in the Philippines, many families remained unvaccinated. Caregivers are key decision-makers for family vaccination, but evidence on factors influencing their own vaccine uptake is limited. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of primary caregivers was conducted in low COVID-19 vaccine uptake regions in the Philippines from July to October 2023 using a validated questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression identified enablers and barriers to vaccine uptake. Results: Among 775 respondents, 72.3% completed primary vaccination, 3.3% had incomplete vaccination, and 24.4% were unvaccinated. Key factors for vaccination included self, family, and community protection, and the influence of government regulations. Distrust in vaccine safety was the main barrier. Positive associations with vaccine uptake were found for age [30–45 years (aOR = 2.23) and 46–59 years (aOR = 2.84)], education [secondary (aOR = 2.25) and tertiary (aOR = 4.93)], and employment (aOR = 1.99). Confidence in vaccine safety (aOR = 1.92), vaccine effectiveness (aOR = 2.23), and satisfaction with vaccination efforts (aOR = 2.39) were additional enablers. Disagreement with restrictions on the unvaccinated was a barrier (aOR = 0.31). Conclusions: This study identified multiple factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among primary caregivers in low uptake areas of the Philippines. Interventions addressing perceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness, particularly among younger and less educated caregivers, may improve public trust and satisfaction with vaccination efforts. Full article

Background: The onset and persistence of Long COVID can lead to cognitive and functional impairment, contributing to illness-induced employment and work disparities. Understanding how social support influences these issues can inform care strategies and support continued workforce participation. Objectives: This study explored perceptions of social support among patients with Long COVID. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 patients receiving care at a post-COVID recovery clinic. Patient perspectives on social support in their work and personal lives were analyzed using both inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Findings were organized under the following five dimensions of social support theory: tangible support, emotional support, informational support, appraisal support, and belonging support. Results: Patients received positive tangible, emotional, and informational support from family, friends, and credible sources. However, patients also described receiving negative appraisal support from their personal lives and workplaces when others misunderstood the scope and duration of their limitations due to Long COVID. This negative appraisal support often labeled them as lazy or underperforming, leading to both personal and professional challenges to their self-esteem. Regarding companionship support, participants reported challenges keeping in touch with others and being less social. Conclusions: Social support impacts Long COVID patients’ abilities to cope with the trauma of their experiences. Understanding the sources of and barriers to social support for Long COVID patients may inform strategies to enhance their care and well-being. Future interventions should offer opportunities for family, friends, and employers of Long COVID patients to learn about what it means to live with the illness. Full article

Past experiences and memory significantly contribute to self-learning and improved decision-making. These can assist decision-makers in refining their strategies for better outcomes. Fractional calculus is a tool that captures a system’s memory or past experience through its repeating patterns. In the realm of uncertainty, neutrosophic set theory demonstrates greater suitability, as it independently assesses membership, non-membership, and indeterminacy. In this article, we aim to extend the theory further by introducing fractional calculus for neutrosophic-valued functions. The proposed method is applied to an economic lot-sizing problem. Numerical simulations of the lot-sizing model suggest that strong memory employment with a memory index of 0.1 can lead to an increase in average profit in memory-independent phenomena with a memory index of 1 by approximately 44% to 49%. Additionally, the neutrosophic environment yields superior profitability results compared to both precise and imprecise settings. The synergy of fractional-order dynamics and neutrosophic uncertainty modeling paves the way for enhanced decision-making in complex, ambiguous environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Globally, one in eight people live with a mental disorder, with depression being a leading cause of disability. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with public belief and perception of mental disorders among adults in Poland. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a self-prepared questionnaire (5-point Likert scale) was administered to a nationally representative quota sample of 1114 Polish adults (March 2025). The computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method was applied. Results: A cross-sectional survey of 1114 adults found that 23.2% had visited psychiatrists, 15.9% psychotherapists, and 21.1% reported a family history of mental disorders. Most respondents (73.8%) believed employers are reluctant to hire individuals with mental disorders, and 53.8% perceived discrimination. Additionally, 19.4% thought mental health patients receive lower-quality care than those with physical illnesses like diabetes. Respondents from large cities (≥500,000 residents, aOR: 1.67; 95%CI: 1.11–2.51; p = 0.01), with higher education (aOR: 1.62; 95%CI: 1.26–2.07; p < 0.001), or a family history of mental disorders (p < 0.05) were more likely to hold this view. Higher education (aOR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.11–1.94; p = 0.01), good economic status (aOR: 1.60; 1.06–2.40; p = 0.02), and personal psychiatric experience (aOR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.24–2.87; p = 0.003) increased belief in treatment effectiveness. Males (aOR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.36–2.61; p < 0.001) and medium-city residents (aOR: 1.82; 95%CI: 1.01–3.27; p = 0.04) more often perceived mental disorders as a sign of weakness, while women (aOR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.36–2.22; p < 0.001) and those with affected relatives (p < 0.05) more frequently reported discrimination. Older respondents (p < 0.05), those with higher education (aOR: 1.65), and individuals with a family history of mental disorders (p < 0.05) were more likely to state that employers fear hiring people with psychiatric conditions. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for public health interventions to reduce stigma, improve awareness, and address misconceptions about mental disorders in Poland. Full article

Physical activity plays a critical role in health and well-being, particularly during students’ academic development. This study explores the relationship between self-efficacy and physical activity among physiotherapy students, recognizing self-efficacy as a key factor influencing exercise behavior. Despite awareness of physical activity’s benefits, academic demands may hinder participation, reducing confidence in maintaining an active lifestyle. A total of 244 physiotherapy students (mean age 24.44 ± 7.56 years) completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that the self-efficacy scores ranged from 17 to 40, with a mean of 30.44 (±3.93), indicating moderate to high levels. In terms of activity, 40.3% of students reported sufficient activity (high level), 51.7% reported moderate activity (meeting minimum guidelines), and 8.05% reported insufficient (low) activity. Self-efficacy positively correlated with age (r = 0.199, p < 0.01) and education level (r = 0.191, p < 0.01), and negatively with employment (r = –0.171, p < 0.05). Physical activity was significantly associated with self-efficacy (r = 0.217, p < 0.01). These findings underscore the importance of fostering self-efficacy to promote physical activity, highlighting the need for targeted strategies within academic settings to support student well-being and healthier lifestyle choices. Full article

Entrepreneurship development strategies are crucial for translating academic potential into economic and societal value. To achieve this, educational institutions must understand the factors influencing students’ entrepreneurial intentions. While research on academic entrepreneurship exists, comparative studies that explore these factors across different national contexts are scarce. This study addresses this gap through a comparative analysis of student entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, Malta, and Turkey, investigating key factors, such as attitudes toward entrepreneurship (ATE), the role of entrepreneurship education (EEdu), and entrepreneurial inspirations. Based on 415 survey responses collected between April and June 2024, hypothesized relationships were tested using appropriate bivariate statistical analyses. The results indicate that a positive evaluation of running one’s own business significantly increases entrepreneurial intentions, particularly when the business is perceived as safe, realistic, pleasant, and strong. The university’s role is pivotal: students largely relied on institutional support for their business initiatives; showed a strong preference for practical, hands-on educational methods; and identified a lack of entrepreneurship education as a key obstacle. A family background with entrepreneurial parents also positively influenced students’ preference for running their own businesses. Interestingly, the findings challenge a simple dichotomy between employment and entrepreneurship. A preference for full-time employment did not diminish entrepreneurial intentions, suggesting students may view these career paths as complementary or sequential. Conversely, preferences for part-time or self-employment did not have a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial initiatives. These findings underscore the need for universities to provide tailored, practical support and to recognize the complex and non-linear career trajectories envisioned by modern students. Full article

Education-to-work transition among war-affected youth in post-conflict settings is fraught with challenges, not least compounded by the little attention placed on individual agency and mental health. This review examines the debate on war-affected youth skilling programmes in post-conflict settings, which neglect the roles of individual agency and mental health in the education-to-work transition. Building on Albert Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) and the Cumulative Stress Hypothesis (CSH), the review presents an integrated approach to skills development for improving education-to-work transition among war-affected youth. According to SET, the development of self-efficacy is anchored on enactive mastery, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological arousal. Moreover, individual agency factors such as motivation, aspiration, goal orientation, active efforts, and alignment of intentions with skills are protective factors for effective education-to-work transition, but they are also eroded by the adverse consequences of violent conflicts. Similarly, the CSH also suggests that the effects of exposure to protracted violent conflicts are cumulative and may lead, in turn, to a plethora of mental health problems in the aftermath of violent conflicts. Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and PTSD are linked to, inter alia, behaviours such as aggression, substance abuse, and apathy, all related to poor employment outcomes. To increase the employability of young people affected by war, skills training institutions and work settings need to prioritise the mental health and individual agency of the youth, as well as skills acquisition for specific trades. Consequently, we propose an integrated model of reintegrating war-affected and vulnerable youth anchored on professional technical and vocational skills training; recognition of individual agency; provision of mental and psychosocial support; and life skills training, all nested within the local economic realities. Full article

Background: Social determinants of health—including both adversity and socioeconomic position—are known to shape physical health, health-related behaviors, and overall well-being. However, the psychological mechanisms that link these determinants to diverse outcomes remain insufficiently explored across international contexts. Objective: The objective of this study is to test whether sense of mastery and control over one’s life mediates the associations between key stressors (childhood abuse, financial insecurity) and socioeconomic resources (education, employment, and marital status) with a wide range of outcomes spanning health, behaviors, and well-being. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from Wave 1 of the Global Flourishing Study (GFS), we analyzed responses from more than 200,000 adults in 23 countries. Predictors included exposure to childhood abuse, perceived financial insecurity, and indicators of socioeconomic position (education, employment, and marital status). Outcomes included self-rated physical and mental health, depression, anxiety, smoking, drinking, physical activity, life satisfaction, and happiness. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate both direct and indirect (mediated) effects through sense of mastery and control over life. Results: Stressors were associated with poorer health, higher engagement in risk behaviors, and lower well-being. In contrast, higher levels of education, employment, and being married were linked to more favorable outcomes. In all tested models, sense of mastery and control over life significantly mediated the effects of both stressors and socioeconomic resources on health, behaviors, and well-being outcomes. Conclusions: Sense of mastery and control over life may represent key psychological pathways linking both adversity and social advantage to diverse health-related outcomes. Interventions that enhance individuals’ perceived control may offer cross-cutting benefits to improve health, promote well-being, and reduce behavioral risk factors globally. Full article